NBA Betting News and Notes
By Covers.com
Each week, we look back on the NBA betting scene and give you the best –and worst – basketball bets, as well as some spots to keep an eye on with the upcoming schedule.
For the week of Jan. 6-12.
Hottest ATS team
New Orleans Hornets (3-0, SU, 3-0 ATS)
Despite their horrible SU record (11-25), the Hornets have been a decent bet this season (19-17 ATS). New Orleans has covered in four straight contests, including all three this past week against San Antonio, Houston and Minnesota. The Hornets hit the road for three games this week with stops in New York, Philadelphia and Boston, but that doesn’t mean bettors should fade them. New Orleans boasts an impressive 11-6 ATS mark away from home this season.
Coldest ATS team
Sacramento Kings (0-3 SU, 0-3 ATS)
Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton returned from injuries this past week, but it hasn’t been enough to change Sacramento’s fortunes. The Kings are dealing with all kinds of off-court distractions like the potential sale and relocation of the team and that has translated into a string of poor performances on the court. Sacramento will have a chance to rebound against lowly Cleveland and Washington early this week.
Best over team
Orlando Magic (1-2 SU, 3-0 over/under)
The Magic have been the hottest over bet in the Association for the past three weeks. Orlando is riding a 10-game over streak into Monday’s contest in Washington. The Magic then enjoy a three-game homestand where they’ll welcome Indiana, Charlotte and Dallas. Orlando is 11-6-2 O/U at home.
Best under team
Indiana Pacers (3-0 SU, 0-3 over/under)
Indiana has been a fixture on Bank Shots week in and week out in this category for a reason. The Pacers lead the league in points allowed per game (89.1), opponent field goal percentage (41.3%) and opponent 3-point percentage (31.3%). Indiana is riding a seven-game under streak into Sunday’s tilt with Brooklyn and boasts the best under mark in the league at 13-23-1 O/U.
Scouting the schedule
The Philadelphia 76ers enjoy 11 of their next 12 games at the friendly confines of the Wells Fargo Center. Bettors note: The Sixers boast an impressive 14-4 over/under mark at home this season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the midst of a five-game west coast road swing. The Cavs are surprisingly 13-9 ATS on the road, compared to a 4-12 mark at home.
The Utah Jazz wrapped up a three-game road trip with a win and cover at Detroit Saturday and now enter a stretch where they’ll play seven of their next eight at home. The Jazz are 10-5 ATS at EnergySolutions Arena.